Apple’s US$499-US$829 iPad unveiled!
At 9.7-inch, 680g and 0.5-inch thin, the Apple iPad costs between US$499 to S$829 for a 16, 32, 64GB Wi-Fi (w/wo 3G) model.
SHOWCASE: Apple has unveiled what CEO Steve Jobs calls “our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price” at the Yerba Buena Convention Centre in San Francisco.
Officially announced at 2am our time, with details released online, the Apple iPad uses an LED-backlit IPS technology-based screen, has a 9.7-inch XGA (1024 x 768) oleophobic coated multi-touch display, is 0.5-inch thin on the side and weighs 1.5 pounds (680 grams).
It has 16, 32 or 64GB of flash storage, utilizes a 1GHz processor within a chip known as the Apple A4 chip. It also boasts 10 hours of battery life. It has 802.11n Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth 2.1, optional 3G cellular connectivity and more in terms of specs.
Apple iPad operates like an iPhone with a big screen, supporting ebook reader iBooks and the iWork productivity suite.
The iPad is slated to be ready for US customers via AT&T in 60 days (Wi-Fi only model) and 90 days (3G/Wi-Fi model).
The iPad will have new built-in apps such as Brushes, which allows artists to digitally paint on the iPad, and accessibility (including the same SDK support developers get for the iPhone) to third-party apps from the App Store. At the live event, partners like The New York Times, Electronic Arts (demoing Need for Speed Shift) and Major League Baseball went on stage to present content accessible on the iPad.
When it came to ebooks, the iPad has a built-in app called iBooks. The app itself will have an iBooks store for iPad users to browse and buy books and publishing materials from major publishers.
Another app introduced on the iPad is iWork mobile productivity suite, which consists of Pages (word processing), Numbers (spreadsheet) and Keynote (presentations). Each of the app (eg. Keynote, Pages, Numbers, etc.) will cost US$9.99.
(additional summary and photo gallery after the break)
HWM Indonesia
HWM Indonesia: A giant iPod Touch? Yes, but will my internet connection suffice for the required bandwidth?
Would my Wi-Fi connection be available everywhere?
How much would my data charges be if I go through GPRS or 3G connections? A good product supported with good value data connection from the operators will make it fly, but until the back-end infrastructure is more established, it won’t take off in the region.
It will appeal to a certain niche market, though. The young and trendy IT folks or the rich. We could be at the brink of a new lifestyle, flipping “screens” in cafes or carrying a “digital photo frame” with the frame facing outwards.
While the standard claim is 10 hours of battery life, we’ve yet to see battery lives for different real-world scenarios from ebook reading, mild surfing, video watching to music playback.
There are two plans of the iPad with AT&T in the US: A 250MB data usage a month will cost just US$14.99 while an unlimited data plan will cost US$29.99. The iPad does not need to be activated at the store, it can be activated anytime, and there is no contract attached to the iPad.
As for the international circuit, Apple is hoping a June-July timeframe to “launch” perhaps. All iPads will come unlocked and support GSM micro-SIM cards.
These SIM cards are no ordinary SIM cards however and measure 15 x 25mm in dimension. In other words, even if you were to buy a 3G-supported iPad, you cannot simply slot your data SIM card in because the iPad supports only micro-SIM formats.
The best part is that the Apple iPad costs (not US$999 as pundits speculated), but US$499 (16GB Wi-Fi/non-3G model), US$599 (32GB Wi-Fi/non-3G model) and US$699 (64GB Wi-Fi/non-3G model). For 3G models, it’ll cost US$130 more. Expect the iPad to ship within 60 days (Wi-Fi model) and 90 days (Wi-Fi/3G model).
There’s also going to be a keyboard dock, which allows you to dock-charge your iPad while typing on the keyboard. There is no price revealed for the keyboard dock as yet.
Anyway, here’s a photo gallery of the iPad from various angles including the fits of different apps when viewed on the iPad:
- Apple iPad operates like an iPhone with a big screen, supporting ebook reader iBooks and the iWork productivity suite.
- Apple iPad front vertical.
- At 9.7-inch, 680g and 0.5-inch thin, the Apple iPad costs between US$499 to S$829 for a 16, 32, 64GB Wi-Fi (w/wo 3G) model.
- The iPad is slated to be ready for US customers via AT&T in 30 days (Wi-Fi only model) and 60 days (3G/Wi-Fi model). The 3G models use GSM mini-SIMs, so you cannot use the standard data SIMs from your iPhone to access 3G.
- Apple iPad side view.
- Apple iPad Wi-Fi only version.
- Apple iPad Wi-Fi & 3G version (notice the antenna black bar at the rear?)
- A view of how the Apple App Store looks on the iPad.
- A view of the calendaring feature on the iPad.
- A view of the Contacts app on the iPad.
- The new ebook reader iBooks lets readers buy ebooks and publications in full color.
- Here's a view of how the iPod music interface fits on the iPad.
- The iTunes Store may not be available here in Asia but here's a view to see how it fits on the iPad.
- Email view on the iPad.
- Maps on the iPad. Makes treasure-hunting easier doesn't it? The 3G models come with Assisted GPS.
- Notes on the iPad. It may be the least used app on the iPhone but there may be potential for it to flourish on this format instead.
- A view of the Photo Album app on the iPad. You have to wonder if it could also double as a digital photoframe.
- Here's how the Apple Safari browser looks on the iPad.
- Video playback on the iPad. The resolution is XGA, or 1024 x 768. Unfortunately the screen format is 4:3, and not 16:9.
- Here's how the YouTube video screen looks on the iPad.
- The keyboard dock allows users to dock the iPad for easy typing while charging the device. It also has an audio jack for quiet audio listening.
I think the new apple ipad looks awesome and cant wait to get one for the girlfriend. Nice website youve got there.
1The Apple Ipad is so fantastic. I’ve already talked with my wife regarding my next birthday present. I travel a lot (mostly plane and train) and so this could be a fantastic machine for catching up on reading along with e-mail and of course, also those videos from a year ago that i wanted to watch.
2I think the iPad will be a famous tablet pc
3Apple’s a company I’ve enjoyed for some time, they produce products that is visually gorgeous while working like a everytime I use it. Alot of companies aren’t able to say that, it’s usually one or the other. Tech companies don’t usually take aesthetics seriously like Apple. With that said I’ve got to say that I’m anxious about the new Tablet. One thing I question though, is it too soon? I think that this may be ahead of its time. What do you think?
4Couldn’t agree with you more. I’m stoked for the Ipad though! Thanks!
5I cannot wait to get my iPad pre-ordered. They look sweet. I am just not decided whether to get the wifi or the 3g and which size to get.
6I have been visiting related blogs and sites lately and i have to say you have a nice design and content. I have bookmarked your page and hope to mention your post in my upcoming blog.
7I’ve enjoyed Apple for sometime, they produce gadgets that is aesthetically beautiful while working like a charm. That can’t be said about alot of companies, it’s usually one or the other. Tech companies don’t usually take aesthetics seriously like Apple. With that being said I’ve got to say that I’m very excited about the new Tablet. One thing I question though, is it too soon? I think that this may be ahead of its time. What do you think?
8Why WOULD Apple want to send any of their IPads out to the Apple Stores for demo before they are released to sell? Because they won’t sell as many if the consumers know how much they suck beforehand! As for the “anti apple Shrils” (Gee.. I hope I misspelled that as accurately as “Gijoeinla”), we simply want something a bit more versatile, less restricted by Apple’s greed (App-Wise), and not so dumbed down that it appeals more to the masses that cannot even spell or use correct punctuation.
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